eat more plus more cardio to raise metabolism?

Question

I am 5'5 and about 170. I regained weight over the past two years and now Ive tried different combinations to lose as much fat as I can but either I overwork myself or eat too much I guess.
I calculated that even with little activity I should eat about 2100 calories a day to maintain, well I dont know if I just ruined my metabolism the last time but generally if I eat more than 1600 I gain weight and I dont want to eat less than 1200 and exercise a lot because I want to do it right.
I was thinking what if I ate about 2000-2200 calories with vegetables and lean meat but exercises to burn 500 or more...
1. would that help get my metabolism or body where it should be?
it seems a good idea to me...

I know its a lot about diet and not as much about exercise but I need both, its just finding a way to burn as much fat without starving myself or over exercising which I get burnt out quickly.

Im trying to eat as much nutritionally dense foods as I can and doing a internal body cleanse.

Answer 1

What you really need to do is relax. I think you are obsessing about it.

Answer 2

You said "it's a lot about diet and not as much about exercise..." but I find it the other way around. Lots of cardio, especially "going against gravity-cardio" (running, stairclimber, etc.-- see the attached article), sheds calories. If you establish a rigorous and permanent exercise schedule (6-10 hours a week), the "controlled eating" will happen. Personally, I think obsessive calorie-counting is tedious and a waste of time. You are correct in not wanting to restrict your calories too much...that will adversely affect your metabolism. Good luck!

Answer 3

it sounds like you are eating the right foods, but you should try spreading them out .. instead of eating 2 or 3 big meals, eat 4 or 5 small meals, some research shows that helps boost the metabolic rate. also try to stay away from juice and aim for 2% or less milk, water, or tea. as for the workout, try jogging in the morning before breakfast and then do your normal workout in the afternoon. i think 500 calories might be a little high for a single cardio session.. not positive though.. but 1/4 of your total calorie intake burned in a single session doesn't seem healthy.

Answer 4

Try to eat 4 or more small portions a day. Also, if you are not one for exercise, try the ball. You can do all kinds of exercises on it that you might find fun, and when you are through with your exercise program, you can use it in place of a chair. This makes your core muscles work to hold your balance, and you get a workout while sitting. To learn about the ball, enter "workout ball" in your search engine on Yahoo. Or click on www.coresecrets.com. Long term jogging is not good for a woman. Ask your doctor